Support & Guidance
The Manchester College is committed to ensuring all our students receive the support they need to reach their potential and enjoy their college experience.
We do this in a number of different ways through a campus-based support team which encompass Achievement Tutors/Personal tutor, Student Mentors and Student Experience and Support Practioners.
You will be allocated an Achievement Tutor / Personal Tutor who will support you with your studies and monitor your progress through regular tutorials.
They will have an overview of your overall progress on your whole Programme of Study and help you set targets and support you in achieving your goals and progressing to the next step to an amazing career. They will also keep a close eye on your attendance, punctuality and where appropriate keep your parents/carers informed of your progress whilst at college.
Your Achievement Tutor/Personal Tutor will identify any support needs for you and put these in place to help you achieve to your full potential. They will work closely with your teachers, mentors, Student Experience Support Practitioners and Careers and Welfare Advisors to ensure you are fully supported.
Just think of your Achievement Tutor/Personal Tutor as your ‘go to person’ if you are worried about any aspect of your Programme of Study, or issues that may affect your learning.
The Additional Learning Support Team offer personalised support programmes in partnership with your curriculum teaching team. They co-ordinate and provide support to learners with high needs and broader Special Educational Needs (SEND). In partnership with curriculum, they work to deliver the college's commitment to high quality teaching. The College aims to remove learning barriers so every student can progress and achieve within a highly effective learning programme. If you have a disability or learning difficulty our team can discuss your personal learning support needs and work with you to create a personal learning plan.
Our Additional Learning Support Managers are your first point of contact and are available by telephone on 0161 920 2358 / 0161 614 9163 or email specialistsupport@tmc.co.uk.
Posters are displayed on each campus showing you who the Additional Learning Support Manager is on your campus and what their contact details are.
Explore course fees, funding options and financial support available for school leavers, adults and degree students:
On each campus there is a team of Pastoral Support Officers, who will be based in the Pastoral Hub at each campus, who can support you with your personal and social development, to overcome any barriers to your learning and achievement.
Support can include face-to-face 1 to 1 sessions and group work on specific life skills, working with you to set targets to improve things like attendance and punctuality, as well as working with you to develop solutions to any challenges you may face during your time at The Manchester College.
The College’s Safeguarding Practitioners are based on every campus and are there to provide guidance around safeguarding if needed, as well emotional health & wellbeing support during your time with us. If you are having difficulties in or out of college, the safeguarding team provide a high level of support through 1-1s and relevant referrals to external agencies.
This handbook will provide key information to help you to settle in to college life and to support you throughout your studies. Please familiarise yourself with the content and revisit your handbook regularly.
We hope that you enjoy your time with us, develop the skills, knowledge and behaviours you need for your next steps, form lasting friendships and positive working relationships, make the most of the opportunities you are offered and be proud to be a student at The Manchester College.
Who are we?
We support potential, existing and progressing students within The Manchester College and external providers. We can offer careers and employability support, information, advice and guidance, along with personal and welfare support. Advisors are professionally qualified and accredited to the national matrix Quality Standard.
What service do we provide?
We can provide confidential and impartial guidance on a range of issues, including:
- Course choice and progression
- Career planning and employability
- Careers advice and guidance
- Financial and funding suport
- Removing barriers to learning
- Residency fee assessment
How to see an advisor
You can visit our advisors in a range of different ways including:
- Face to face or virtual booked appointments
- Virtual group sessions
- Telephone and email advice
- Employer advise and guidance
- Careers based events
- Web based materials
How can we help?
We can help in different ways, including:
- Helping you identify and achieve your life goals
- Building your confidence
- Motivating you with your studies
- Helping you overcome barriers to learning and progression
We always welcome feedback on the services we provide. If you would like to comment on the service please complete the feedback form.
Everything you say is treated confidentially
Our Pass is the new way to travel in Greater Manchester for all 16 to 18 year olds.
If you're 16 to 18, Our Pass provides you with free bus travel anywhere in Greater Manchester - whether you need to travel for college, careers events, taster days, sporting events or cultural attractions.
If your permanent address is in Greater Manchester you can apply for the Our Pass now and start using the card in September.
Note: An administration fee of £10 applies
An important part of your Study Programme is your opportunity to explore different career routes and find out more about the world of work through encounters with employers.
We have a dedicated team of Employer Engagement Leaders and Employability Partnership Coordinators who work with industry professionals to provide you with relevant and engaging work experience opportunities throughout the year. The Employability Team will work with employers to ensure placements are well organised, interesting and safe. They will work with you and your tutors to log your activities, help you feel prepared and to check consent.
Each course and level have specific minimum targets to achieve for work experience.
Centres of Excellence
| Level of Study | External Work Placement (min. hours) |
|---|---|
| Level 1 | Up to 6 hours |
| Level 2 | 24 hours |
| Level 3 | 35 hours |
Industry Excellence Academy
| Level of Study | External Work Placement (min. hours) |
|---|---|
| Level 2 | 15 days/105 hours |
| T Level Transition Year (Level 2) | 15 days/105 hours |
| Level 3 | 15 days/105 hours |
| T Level (Level 3) | 315-350 hours over two years |
In addition to external work placement hours, you'll also engage in a range of work-related activities such as virtual-work experience, masterclasses, industry insight talks and careers events.
What we will offer you
- Employability Hour every week to support you to be work ready
- Live work placement opportunities from our team of Employability and Partnership Coordinators
- Opportunities to encounter employers from industry throughout your studies
- We have a dedicated system called Grofar to support any external work placement activities and which you will need to access to complete reflective logs
What we expect from you
Work experience, work related activities and work placements are a mandatory part of your Study Programme and so must be undertaken.
If you are planning an external work placement, we expect that you inform us of your plans a minimum two weeks in advance so that we can carry out the necessary health and safety checks.
Before you start at college
You will need to start to identify local employers who would be able to offer you a work placement (this is mainly if you will be starting on a Level 2 or 3 course).
You will need to contact the employers in advance to check that they would be happy to host you on a placement.
Bring these details along with you when you start in September and your Employability Hour tutor and Employability and Partnership Coordinator will make contact with the employer to formalise and agree a plan.
Remember, your work placement should be linked to your Study Programme subject and future career aims.
We will also put on a series of placement finding events, so that you can routinely apply and gain access to careers and employability services to help you progress towards your goals. This may include a placement fair for your chosen subject and you must submit regular applications through the dedicated Employability Hour on your timetable.